When you think of style icons, certain women may come to mind: Audrey Hepburn, Coco Chanel, Grace Kelly... even Kate Middleton. While I admire their beauty and taste, that kind of elegance is light years away from the life that I live and the woman that I am. A custom-made gown? High heels? One of those little hats European women wear to weddings? Never. I am a jeans and T-shirt person. If really pushed I can wear a skirt. I don't own a single button-down blouse (too confining), turtleneck (ditto) or pair of stilettos (too painful).
If I had to pick an icon that I admire and wish I could emulate, it would have to be Judge Judy. Now hear me out before you roll your eyes. I am perfectly serious. First of all, and most importantly, she manages to exude power in spite of being petite (which is something I struggle with). Of course, a judge's bench may be the ultimate power accessory, but she is a tiny woman who effortlessly controls a room. Secondly, her black robe is an ideal item of clothing. She doesn't have to worry about her clothes matching or not fitting and visible stains. If she is feeling fat, it doesn't matter, the robe is forgiving. Lastly, she doesn't have to spend a lot of time in the morning picking out an outfit, she just throws on her robe and is done. Think of all the time she saves and anxiety she avoids. While I am not sure how much a judge's robe costs, I am guessing she only has one or two at the most, and if it doesn't come with the job, at the very least it must be tax deductible.
A less stylish judge would just wear the robe, but Judge Judy accessorizes it with a lace collar. I love this touch, as it is feminine, but also just a tad sarcastic. You know it is.
Her look is completed by the basic bob, simple makeup and unfussy jewelry. You never get the sense that a stylist is telling her what to wear or do, or that she spends hours worrying about her looks, wearing uncomfortable shoes or sucking in her stomach. She is able to focus on being bright, funny and occasionally, kind of vicious. What more could you want in an icon?
Want more? Take a look at some of Judge Judy's outfit in the gallery below and keep clicking through for more of our favorite working women on TV like Mary Tyler Moore, Diane Keaton and Tina Fey.
Head over to Refinery29.com to read about some of their favorite men's style icons and be sure to check out Stylelist on Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr and Pinterest.
